Black Opulence
The Black experience is so diverse and beautiful. We often get a linear/ limited perspective of this through the violence & discrimination. This Black in Opulence collection is a visual celebration of black identities.As a Black brit with east African decent, our communities aren't shown through our own perspective. There are so many creative and talented east
Africans yet to be discovered and are proud of their upbringing. This is a tribute to our heritage and ancestors. Within this collection is a combination of sports luxe influences, and east African tribal traditions juxtaposed with beautifully draped garments resembling royalties and affluence.
As this a Fall/Winter Collection, the colours will range from Deep Reds , Orange, Light,Blue emerald greens and will be complimented with neutral and cooler colors such as grey, and navy blues, as shown in the image above. The deep red connotes the courage,strength and bravely as the traditional Masai tribe of Kenya/Tanzania believe that red would scare of predators.
Often layered in a unique plaid/tartan fabric, this communicates wealth. Naturally, this collection compliments these light-weight cotton, and how that contrasts with layered and draped pieces. Using luxury fabric such as silks redefines the 'wrap' style drape on cotton and gives the pieces a new luxury perspective.
The collection includes developments of the streetwear classic's such as the 'Puffa' Jacket and unique sportswear finishings on luxury items
Black opulence
I had an amazing time working on this collection and learned a ton in the process. Mixing sports luxe with East African traditions was a fun challenge, and I really enjoyed experimenting with new fabrics and colors. It was a great chance to push my creativity and see how traditional and modern styles can come together in exciting ways.
Featured in Guap Mag
My graduate collection was highlighted in Guap Mag. This feature was an incredible milestone, showcasing my work to a wider audience and validating the creative vision I poured into my designs.
The article celebrated the unique blend of East African influences and contemporary streetwear that defines my brand, Azura. It was an honor to have my collection recognized by such a respected publication and to see my designs receive this level of attention. You can read the full article here.